NY City EMS Ridealongs?

[skinut2234]

Anyone know if NY City allows EMS ride alongs?

[paramedicmike]

Any particular agency in mind? There are quite a few in NYC.

-be safe.

[skinut2234]

Not sure exactly how it works... I thought all EMS was under the FDNY

[Asysin2leads]

Too answer your questions,

A. EMS is under the direction of FDNY. Some places are covered by hospitals and private agencies contracted with the Department. I'm not sure what their policies regarding ride alongs are.

B. As far as I know, ride alongs are still allowed, but it can be a pain the tuckus to get the paperwork through. Go to http://www.nyc.gov/fdny I believe you can find observer information there. Right now I'm too lazy to look it up. Good luck.

[1aCe3]

YeP! Ride alongs are allowed. I'm not sure how it works with the FDNY, but 2leads covered that already. And it probably IS a pain in the ass with them as with anything else related to them when it comes to paperwork. But check out the different hospitals, they are fairly easy, you just have to fill out a sheet and get them to copy some ID. Cabrini hospital does them and they are real quick to get you a bus if you just talk to the EMS supervisors there. NY Hospital of Columbia Presbyterian does them also. And yep, these places all have 911 buses that are "FDNY Participants." G'luck.

[xselerate]

or you can just apply to fdny ems and work for us, or you can join a volly for 6 months of 911 experience and go work for one of the private hospitals that are allowed to participate in the 911 system.

[Xiaomei559]

Also, it's who you know and how they feel about helping you out. I has a friend who was a member of a VAC, she knew a few people and was able to ride along with FDNY EMS on a HazTac Unit. But try it anyway, if you get a recommendation from someone in EMS that you know (with connections or not) you may stand a chance. Good Luck